• In James 1:14-15 we are told “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

• So we see with what Jesus said and through James’ comments that sin can in fact bring calamity upon our physical and spiritual life.

3. WHAT WERE THE CONDITIONS OF THIS

MIRACLE?

• One had to enter into the pool immediately after the stirring

• One had to be the first in

• This man had given many excuses as to why he had never been healed

• Jesus asked a question: “Wilt thou be made whole?”

• Jesus asked the man, why are you still seeking to be healed? Do you not want to be restored?

• What Were the Excuses?

o People Excuse: ‘I have no man’ (vs. 7)

o Place Excuse: ‘to put me into the pool’ (vs. 7) He blamed his location for the inability to get into the ‘healing’ pool

o Conditions Excuse: ‘when the water is stirred up’ There were conditions to this healing which he felt like he could not meet

o Time Excuse: ‘while I am coming’ (vs. 7) since others beat him to the punch he simply gave up

o Blame Others Excuse: ‘another steps down before me’ (vs. 7) Blamed others for his inability to get into the pool

• This man gave Jesus every excuse he could to explain his question

4. THE MIRACLE ITSELF

• Jesus simply told the man, ‘Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.’

• Vs 9 tells us that ‘IMMEDIATELY’ the man was made whole

• Imagine after thirty years of an infirmity; being told to get up and then being made whole\

• Why did Jesus heal only one person out of the many that were needy?

o He was the one who seemed most hopeless

o Luke 5:31 “And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.” “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

• Jesus came to restore hope to the lost and to save the sickest of the sick